5 month old, second week

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How your baby's growing

By now, all your baby’s kicking, rolling and waving is paying off. She’s getting much stronger. Sit her on your lap or put her on the floor and you may find she’s able to sit up for a moment without support.

Once she’s sitting, move her legs into a V shape. This helps her to balance and makes a tumble less likely. Then, if you think she's ready to stay sitting, put a suitable toy in front of her to play with. Surround her with pillows and stay close in case she keels over.

Your baby might also like to play lying on her tummy. Lifting her head and chest to see a toy will build up her neck muscles and develop the head control she needs for sitting. If you stand her on your thighs and bounce her up and down, you’ll help strengthen her legs too. And you'll get lots of laughs into the bargain!

Let’s play

Your life: getting your baby used to other people

Did you ever worry that your baby wouldn’t bond with you? Well, by now it's more likely that the two of you are so close, she howls if anybody else comes near. And that can include your partner, to his dismay. When your baby rejects everyone else, it’s hard on them and means more work for you. That's why socialisation matters. It'll help your baby and you if she gets used to other people.

If you’re considering returning to work soon, it’s even more important that your baby learns to be happy with other people. Otherwise you’ll have a stressful time leaving her with a childminder or at a nursery. You’ll also worry about her all day, just when you need to be concentrating on your job.

If your baby is reluctant to be left even with her dad, it'll help if you both work on that first. Perhaps your partner could get involved in playing, changing nappies, your baby's daily bath and bedtime. Just carrying her around will build attachment between them. Keep out of the way at first, so your baby isn't always reaching out for you.

Have friends and family over, as well. Try holding your baby while a friend or relative talks and plays with her. Then hand her over to the other person and stay close. Next, leave briefly and come back. Repeat this step, lengthening the time you're away. Eventually, your baby will come to cope with separation, making returning to work easier on you both.

Tips for you this week

Do you have distant memories of growing up with a beloved pet? A dog who was always happy to play? Or a cat who was always climbing on to your lap? If you're in two minds about whether to get a pet for your child, these gorgeous pictures of babies and pets may help you decide!

If you're worried about the extra muck and dirt that comes with owning a pet, perhaps it's less of problem than you think. There's some evidence that you can be too clean. Children who've grown up on farms, for example, are less likely to develop asthma and eczema.

As your baby learns new skills, and becomes interested in different toys, she may become cross when things don't go her way. This is entirely normal, and is just your baby's way of letting you know she's frustrated. So if your baby gets into a temper about something, just try to distract her. Her anger will probably fade as quickly as it sprang up.

Parent know-how: get out there!

"Sometimes my daughter gets fed up with just being at home with me, so we go to coffee mornings and to the park as often as we can. I love that she's learning the joy of interacting with others at such a young age."
Roxie

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